In vitro and in vivo antitumor activity of a methanol extract of Dregea volubilis leaves with its antioxidant effect.

BACKGROUND

In India, Dregea volubilis (L.f.) Benth. ex Hook.f. (Asclepediaceae), a large twining shrub with a woody vine, is used to treat tumors traditionally.

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated the in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity of the methanol extract of Dregea volubilis leaves (MEDV) and elucidated its possible mechanism of action.

METHODS

In vitro antitumor activity of MEDV was evaluated against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cell-line. In vivo antitumor and antioxidant activity of MEDV at three dose levels (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) were determined against EAC tumor-bearing mice. After 24 h of EAC inoculation, the extract was administered for 9 consecutive days. After the administration of the last dose on the 9th day followed by 18 h fasting, mice from all groups were sacrificed to determine antitumor activity and hematological profiles along with liver related biochemical parameters like lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzymatic activity, etc.

RESULTS

For in vitro antitumor activity, IC(50) value of MEDV for EAC tumor cells was 85.51 ± 4.07 µg/ml. The MEDV showed a decrease in tumor volume, packed cell volume and viable cell count and an increase in the non-viable cell count of the EAC tumor-bearing mice (p < 0.001). Hematological profile reverted near to normal level in extract treated mice. MEDV decreased the hepatic lipid peroxidation level and enhanced superoxide dismutase and catalase level in tumor-bearing mice (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

MEDV exhibited in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity in EAC tumor-bearing mice mediated through augmenting antioxidant defense system.